PESHAWAR, May 1: The city police have recovered four children kidnapped 15 days ago and arrested four accused, while efforts are continuing to net another accomplice, an official statement issued here on Saturday said.

Four students of Iqra Education Academy in Yakatoot area - Asif son of Hameed; Owais son of Zafar Hussain; Zeshan sonof Anwar Hussain and Shoab son of Shah Hussain - were kidnapped on April 15 and the captors, who were the residents of the same locality, had taken them away to Mohmand tribal region,the statement said.

It said the police through some influential people secured the release of kidnapped schoolboys from the tribal region and also arrested four accused Sharif and his three sons Salahuddin, Riaz and Ziaud Din, while efforts to net their fifth accomplice was continued.

Sources said the kidnappers were demanding Rs6 million for the release of the children from their parents by telephone.

The parents later informed the police about the ransom demand of the kidnappers and expressed their suspicion about the involvement of Sharif and their sons. The police registered an FIR and arrested the accused three days ago.

Later, the police approached some influential people in Qilla ShahBeg area near Mohmand tribal region, who played theirrole in securing the safe release of the kidnapped children.

ARREST: Police on Saturday arrested two bandits after exchange of fire near City Railway Station on Dalazak Road.

Three highwaymen were busy in robbing passengers on Friday night when they saw two policemen they opened fire.

The policemen retaliated the fire and injured one of the bandits Omara Khan, who was also arrested. But his two accomplices managed to escape. Constable Usman also received bullet injuries during the cross fire. -Bureau